VITOF honours three for promoting village tourism

Pokhara, Feb 27: Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF) Pokhara Chapter on Sunday honoured three individuals committed to promoting village tourism.

Nepal Tourism Board CEO, Deepak Raj Joshi and VITOF – Pokhara Chairman Taranath Pahari conferred the 'Excellent Leadership Award' along with appreciation letters and shawls to tourism coordinator based at Sirubari of Syangja, Jum Gurung, Tourism Committee Chairman of Ghalegaun Lamjung, Prem Ghale and Parbat District's Chitre Community Homestay Chairperson, Sushila Devi Gurung.

Joshi took the occasion to share his view that Nepal held enough possibilities in rural tourism. He hailed the contribution of late Captain Rudraman Gurung to start rural tourism in the country as 'extremely important'.

The NTB Chief also spoke of plans to launch Rural Tourism Mart in the second week of April in Pokhara in coordination with VITOF for promoting rural tourism.

VITOF Pokhara Chairman Pahari recalled Capt Rudraman Gurung's exploits in spearheading the launch of homestay in Sirubari and in advancing the concept of rural tourism and homestay.

VITOF Pokhara on the same day announced two journalism awards in memory of Rudraman. The 'Rudraman Memorial Tourism Journalism Award' will be conferred on two journalists of the western region including Pokhara during the VITOF annual general assembly. The award carries a purse of Rs 11,111 each.